Opiates and The Brain: The Chemistry of Dependence

We read the headlines about opiates and the opioid crisis here in the United States. We see the damage these drugs are doing among people we know and love as well as in our communities. But what do we really know about the way opiates affect our bodies? Do we know the difference between opioids and opiates? What more can we do to recognize the signs of opiate addiction? Let’s explore the powerful effects of opiate drugs and how substance abuse can lead to fatal consequences when left untreated.

Opiates 101

We often hear the word “opiate” and “opioid” used interchangeably. Opiates are prescribed for relieving pain, including chronic pain as well as those who are terminally ill. Opioid drugs are as well. The subtle difference between the two is this:

Prescription opioids are drugs that “act on opioid receptors in the brain, resulting in a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially analgesia (stopping pain).”

Opiates stop pain as well, but they are “either derived from poppy or synthesized from any drug that is found in poppy or synthesized from one.”

Opiates and the brain

Opiates have a significant impact on the way your brain processes and manages pain. The chemicals in opiates are similar to those naturally occurring in your brain. If your body becomes dependent on prescription or non-prescription opiates, it’s possible that you can lose your ability to tolerate pain without them. That is one of the scariest aspects of dealing with addiction. You may face severe opiate withdrawal symptoms once you decide to reclaim your body and your quality of life.

Here’s a quick look at the chemistry:

The chemicals in opiates bond with opiate receptors in part of the brain.

They work through the nervous system to provide pain relief.

If taken at an inappropriate dosage, these chemicals provide a euphoric high.

This floods the brain with dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that provide pleasure in the brain.

Because these feelings can be so intense and the pleasure so high, the brain can be trained to seek out more and more of the drug.

Consequences of opiate abuse

While there are many legitimate reasons your health care team may prescribe you opiates, there are many physical as well as emotional and psychological consequences to opiate abuse. It’s important that you monitor your dosage, use opiates responsibly and talk to your doctor if you experience changes in your condition or in your use of the drug.

If you or a loved one are abusing opiates, you may experience:

Intense feelings of euphoria

Uncontrollable drowsiness

Tolerance development/dependence

Stomach problems such as nausea, bloating and/or abdominal distention

Vomiting or diarrhea

Constipation

Respiratory depression

Liver damage

Brain damage

Opiate withdrawal symptoms

Once you have decided to reclaim your life and your sobriety from opiate addiction, you can expect withdrawal symptoms to begin. The worst of these symptoms will end in a few days, but it will likely take longer for you to fully recover physically, mentally and emotionally.

For the first 12 hours after you stop taking opiates, you can expect:

Intense cravings

Body aches

Rapid heartbeat and fever

Poor sleep pattern

Feelings of frustration and anxiety

Throughout the next 72 hours, you may experience:

Intense mood swings and frustration

Stomach problems causing vomiting or diarrhea

Chills

Further drug cravings

We can help you

At The Blackberry Center, you will have the opportunity to recover from opiate addiction and to begin the journey to lifelong recovery in our state-of-the-art facilities.

If you or one of your loved ones is struggling with opiate addiction, we can help. We use a personalized approach to addiction treatment. Our focus is on treating the disease, not the symptoms. We put our patients first every step of the way.

Susan Gail Taylor is a content creator focusing on the addiction, health, fitness and mental health arenas. She earned a Master of Arts degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is passionate about animals, whole food plant-based nutrition, fitness and creating valuable content with featuring actionable steps. In her free time, Susan enjoys life and adventures with her husband Nathan and their two dogs Tallon and Kane. She also dedicates time to running, yoga, hiking and biking.

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The Blackberry Center is a 64-bed behavioral hospital in St. Cloud, Florida. Nestled in a tranquil setting just outside of Orlando, our mental health facility provides patients with a safe place to reflect, reset and heal.

Our retreat-like environment provides a tranquil setting in which our patients can heal. We offer 24-hour psychiatric services provided by licensed professionals in various disciplines. The hospital has varying programs that can be tailored to patient needs, including older adult programs, dual diagnosis treatment and general psychiatric care.

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